Chapter 34: New and Old Political Discourses

The food, as it turned out, was not as unpalatable as Bai Feijun had expected. Jiang Zhuo had not committed any amateur mistakes, such as failing to wash away the grit or misusing seasonings.

It possessed the simple, authentic flavor of raw ingredients.

Just as Su Yanqing had said, the hallmark of Jiangnan cuisine was its fresh, fragrant, and mellow quality.

"It's quite delicious." Bai Feijun nodded, then turned to ask Su Yanqing, "Why the look on your face, Brother Su? Could it be that a wild boar truly cannot appreciate fine fodder?"

Su Yanqing did not retort; he simply picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and was equally surprised.

"Younger Sister A-Zhuo has long resided in the capital, so how is it that you know how to cook Jiangnan dishes?"

There was nothing mysterious about it.

In her previous life, when her beauty was still intact, Jiang Zhuo could win favor through refined pursuits like playing the zither or dancing. After her beauty was ruined, she avoided appearing in public, but to survive within the inner chambers, she was forced to cook dishes from time to time to please her master.

Ling Heng was always extravagant; he would only eat if the pastries and dishes were exquisitely plated and made with choice ingredients. Su Yanqing, however, preferred a light palate, disliking anything too spicy, sweet, or greasy. Jiang Zhuo had specifically learned to cook Jiangnan-style food for him.

"...My father liked it, so I learned it."

Jiang Zhuo explained indifferently, not wishing to dwell on it.

The two men assumed she was simply saddened by the mention of her late father and did not press the matter.

As the sun began to set, the members of the entourage who had been drugged gradually began to wake.

Local officials arrived to conduct inquiries. They escorted the bandits, whom Bai Feijun had knocked unconscious, to prison one by one and sealed the inn.

Perhaps because Bai Feijun had mentioned Jiang Zhuo’s name when reporting the incident, the local prefect arrived in person, offering apologies and profuse expressions of gratitude.

Neither Jiang Zhuo nor Bai Feijun were fond of social pleasantries, so they excused themselves, claiming the Princess was shaken by the ordeal, and left Su Yanqing to deal with the officials.

Jiang Zhuo leaned against the side of the carriage, staring blankly at the bandits as they were being roped together.

"What's wrong?"

Bai Feijun sauntered over, a stalk of dogtail grass dangling from his mouth, looking for all the world like a roguish youth of the martial arts world.

"I was thinking," Jiang Zhuo said slowly, "that they all seem to have some physical disability. Could it be that they were forced by their circumstances to turn to banditry?"

Bai Feijun followed her gaze and realized that, indeed, these men were either missing fingers, lacked a hand, or walked with a noticeable limp.

"It is the New Policy," Su Yanqing said, walking over after finishing his social obligations. Having overheard their conversation, he explained, "The Baojia system introduced by the New Policy seeks to reduce military expenditures by replacing professional soldiers with local militias. This requires adult males in rural areas to register and undergo military training, while also taking turns on night patrol. Many are unwilling to comply, so they intentionally maim themselves to avoid conscription."

Jiang Zhuo froze.

Her own father was one of the architects of this New Policy, and her cousin, Jiang Lie, had traveled south specifically to oversee the implementation of the Baojia system.

"Perhaps it is not the policy that is at fault, but those who execute it," Bai Feijun said calmly. "In every dynasty, whether it is a new policy or an old law, there are always those who act against the grain, engaging in corruption and lawlessness, forcing good people into destitution."

"The old recruitment system mostly drew from refugees and disaster victims, and the state provided armor, weapons, and grain, requiring no labor. The current Baojia system requires these farmers to labor in the fields by day and drill on patrol by night. Brother Bai should know well enough which is the heavier burden on the people," Su Yanqing retorted coldly, not a trace of a smile on his face.

"Farmers participating in the Baojia system also receive subsidies for grain and salt, and it saves the nation a massive amount of military expenditure—how can you call that a burden?" Although Bai Feijun wore a mask that hid his expression, Jiang Zhuo could still sense his dissatisfaction with Su Yanqing.

"Brother Bai is not among the lower classes, so how can you know how many hands these meager grain allowances pass through before they are distributed? How much actually reaches the hands of these farmers in the end?" Su Yanqing continued to press.

"As I said before, this is a matter of execution, not the policy itself," Bai Feijun said flatly. "The military funds saved by the Baojia system can be used elsewhere. In the past, due to insufficient grain and support, countless soldiers and armies were trapped and perished in the Northwest."

"An unreasonable policy increases the difficulty of execution and provides more room for parasites to hide," Su Yanqing countered. "When one joins the army as a soldier or general, charging into battle and dying for the country is their duty. But what of these farmers? Is it necessary for them to bear such a burden?"

"The old laws merely continued the practices of the previous dynasty, but if the New Policy is implemented well, correcting the flaws of the past is an achievement that will benefit generations to come," Bai Feijun sighed. "It will eventually benefit these farmers as well."

"Benefit generations to come?" Su Yanqing repeated with a touch of sarcasm. "Then let those of the future be grateful. For me, it is enough that the present is secure, that the people within my sight are safe and sound, and that the farmers I see along the way are living in peace and contentment."

"Brother Su’s perspective is far too narrow," Bai Feijun said, his tone turning colder and seemingly impatient.

"That is because the wheels of the New Policy have yet to crush you, Brother Bai. If the progress of history and the replacement of dynasties must step by step crush your interests, trample upon your spine, burn your property and home, and sacrifice your loved ones—would you still be willing?" Su Yanqing asked with a cold sneer.

"If it is for the sake of future generations, I would naturally be willing," Bai Feijun replied dismissively.

"Then have you asked them?"

Su Yanqing pointed toward the bandits, his expression filled with indignation.

"Have you asked these displaced people if they were willing to mortgage their ancestral lands, abandon their beloved wives and daughters, maim their own healthy bodies, and turn to banditry just to survive, all for your so-called 'achievement for the ages'?"

"Have you asked the innocent travelers who died in this inn? Have you asked the innocent people who perished in the chaos of refugees? Have you asked them if they were willing to lose their lives for your imagined legacy of fame?"

"And have you asked the farmers who till by day and guard by night, if they are willing to work from life to death, and death to life, for the sake of a few meager rations?"

Su Yanqing’s questions came in rapid succession, his emotions running high.

"Our stances are different; I have nothing to say to you," Bai Feijun replied, his tone remaining indifferent.

"What a coincidence. I feel the same way—we are not of the same mind, and the sight of each other is equally tiresome."

With that, Su Yanqing did not linger, turning and sweeping his sleeves as he departed.

Unable to interject, Jiang Zhuo could only watch as Su Yanqing climbed into his own carriage.

From that day on, Su Yanqing and Bai Feijun rarely appeared before Jiang Zhuo together. Even when they ate, they kept a great distance. It was almost as if where one was, the other could not be.